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Feature Friday: Alys Bryan

Hello and welcome to another edition of Feature Friday! This week we’re joined by Alys Bryan, Editor at industry-renowned Design Insider.

WOD: Could you start by explaining your current role…

AB: “Design Insider is an online publication which brings our readers news and opinion from the contract furnishing sector, and by doing this we successfully support BCFA members. My role as Editor is to ensure that the content we publish answers the needs of the interior designers and architects who come to us for the latest product launches, projects and events. It is extremely important to me that we publish high quality, original and interesting articles, which our readers cannot access elsewhere. In order to do this I work with my BCFA colleagues, wonderful PR agents and several knowledgeable writers.”

WOD: What initially attracted to the workplace sector and why?

AB: “Since 2007 I have worked as a furniture designer with a focus on upholstered seating, and for many years this work was focused on the hospitality sector. However, for more than 10 years the boundaries between the hospitality sector and the workplace sector have been merging and we have found that the furniture requirements can have many similarities for the two settings. It is extremely interesting that post-pandemic we are expecting to see a further increase in employees choosing to work from hotels as an additional option to working from home or going into a workplace.”

WOD: And of these issues, which do you find most interesting and challenging?

AB: “As we all became increasing aware of our responsibility towards the environment many businesses put in place initiatives which on the surface appeared to tackle their brand’s impact. What has been challenging for Design Insider, and the sector as a whole, is determining the projects which are successful in achieving substantial sustainable benefits. 

At Design Insider we have found that our Sustainability Leaders series has certainly enabled us to share with our readers the knowledge of brands making huge strides forward in sustainable manufacturing, material selection and business practises. I am looking forward to expanding Design Insider’s discussion on sustainability and sharing some fantastic case studies.”

Read the full Feature Friday interview with Alys, as well as interviews with our previous guests, by joining WOD Digital today.